Sinclair Broadcast Group doesn't have the best reputation as an employer. The company drew national attention earlier this year when it required local news stations across the country to repeat a scripted segment lifted almost directly from Donald Trump's anti-journalism talking points. And employees are trying desperately to find ways to work around Sinclair's pro-Trump programming.

But the broadcasting behemoth isn't just content to play fast and loose with its reporters' professional reputations. It's also willing to cut them off when they're most in need. This past May on Good Morning Chattanooga, Alex George told her audience that she would be taking medical leave to focus on fighting a rare form of bone cancer. The community was reportedly very supportive, raising money, doing a charity run in George's honor, and voting the 22-year-old "best columnist/reporter" in the local paper's best-of poll. Per the Times Free Press:

The NewsChannel 9 official Twitter account offered its own message of support: "Alex, we are so proud of you, and wish you the very best as you continue to show cancer who's boss!"

Two months later, Alex George got a call from her supervisors at the TV station. They informed her Sinclair Broadcast Group was terminating her contract about six months early. She had been receiving disability payments while getting treatment. That immediately stopped. She no longer had a job, she was told. A company spokesperson later told the Times Free Press that Sinclair would consider exploring "possible roles for her" in the future if she wants to return.

George told the Times Free Press that she was "shocked," adding, "I definitely wasn't expecting it. I thought the call was just going to be a check-up."

Sinclair Broadcast Group is clearly a well-run company, with about $2.5 billion in yearly revenue.

UPDATE: A Sinclair spokesperson reached out with the following statement, which reads in part:

Out of respect for the privacy of our employees, Sinclair does not comment on specific personnel matters. We would like to note, however, that Sinclair not only provides leave and other accommodations as required by law, but also routinely provides additional time off and other benefits above and beyond what is legally required. In addition, Sinclair’s long-term disability benefits are provided at no cost to our employees, which allow qualified individuals to continue to receive up to 66 percent of their salary during their period of disability. We have also expressed to Alex that once she is ready to return to work, we would be happy to meet and explore possible roles for her. Until that time comes, Sinclair and the WTVC family will continue to pray for Alex’s recovery, and we wish her and her family the best.

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